Milk
Seen it?2008 | 128 min | History, Drama
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (93% on Rotten Tomatoes), it collected a shelf of major awards and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved Ford v Ferrari or All the Way, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 8 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect violence and sex.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
The true story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man ever elected to public office. In San Francisco in the late 1970s, Harvey Milk becomes an activist for gay rights and inspires others to join him in his fight for equal rights that should be available to all Americans.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 1 SAG Award: 15th Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, Motion Picture. Won 1 WGA Award: 61st Writers Guild of America Awards: Best Original Screenplay. Won 2 Independent Spirit Awards: 24th Independent Spirit Awards: Best Supporting Male, 24th Independent Spirit Awards: Best First Screenplay. Also nominated for 1 Golden Globe, 2 more SAG Awards and 4 BAFTAs. Plus 22 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$55 million worldwide on a $20 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 362K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Ford v Ferrari Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed true-story historical drama.
All the Way
Saturday SpecialAnother political historical drama that's easy to miss.
Official Secrets
Sunday Safe BetAnother political historical drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
All the King's Men Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed political drama that fewer people know today.
Nixon Saturday SpecialAnother political historical drama, and a Saturday Special.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Gus Van Sant
- Sean PennHarvey Milk
- Emile HirschCleve Jones
- Josh BrolinDan White
- Diego LunaJack Lira
- James FrancoScott Smith
- Alison PillAnne Kronenberg
- Victor GarberMayor Moscone
- Denis O'HareJohn Briggs
- Joseph CrossDick Pabich
- Stephen SpinellaRick Stokes